The reason for the switch to speakon is supposed to be safety. Under the right circumstances you could get hurt if you grabbed the end of a 1/4" cable that was plugged into a powerful enough amp. Speakon prevents you from being able to get shocked.
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1/4 to SpeakON??
- Thread starter GabyJV
- Start date
The reason for the switch to speakon is supposed to be safety. Under the right circumstances you could get hurt if you grabbed the end of a 1/4" cable that was plugged into a powerful enough amp. Speakon prevents you from being able to get shocked.
1/4 inch and Speakon are just 2 different ways to connect a positive and negative lead--just like banana clips and raw wire terminals are. It is safe to use either. No weird mismatch can occur.
As already mentioned, the advantage to speakon, is that it is a more secure connection (cables won't get yanked out accidentally).
As already mentioned, the advantage to speakon, is that it is a more secure connection (cables won't get yanked out accidentally).
I've heard that too, supposedly why most amps above 500W rating are using Speakons instead of 1/4". I personally prefer it for connection security and the inability to mix it up with an instrument cable.
I was told the switchover by manufacturers was in response to EU safety standards.
I use a 1/4" to Speakon for two important reasons, for me (and Plucky the Bassist):
1. I can not plug an instrument cable in as the two ends are different. Never had it happen, can see how it can.
2. My amp only has 1/4" but I like the security of the speakon on my cab.
I have no idea if one sounds better or not. Can't tell at this volume. What? Eh?
1. I can not plug an instrument cable in as the two ends are different. Never had it happen, can see how it can.
2. My amp only has 1/4" but I like the security of the speakon on my cab.
I have no idea if one sounds better or not. Can't tell at this volume. What? Eh?
In one band I use 1/4" to speakon cables, but in the opposite direction from OP. Mixing board has only speakon out and PA speakers have only 1/4" in. Would prefer speakon both ends but we have what we have. To make myself feel better I added a couple of layers of heatshrink tubing over the metal bodies on the 1/4" ends. Not necessary really, but like I say, makes me feel better about minimizing the possibility of someone getting zapped.
I recently added a couple of Greenboy designs to my stable and before that everything I had was 1/4". I found these on ebay and they allow the use of either a 1/4" or a speakon. I like the idea of speakon, and will start getting 1/4" to speakon cables.
Neutrik NLJ2MD-V Combo Speakon or 1/4" Panel Mount, In or Out 2 Cond Speaker
Neutrik NLJ2MD-V Combo Speakon or 1/4" Panel Mount, In or Out 2 Cond Speaker
Last edited:
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
That may be an assumption on your part. usually it's one or the other based on what type of cable you own or wish to use.
A few times, I have had the raw speaker wire leads come out of the speakon end. It seemed that the set screws were not tight enough when new. After tightening them up, no problem. I do like the ease of working with the speakon connectors but make sure them screws are tight.
I prefer to solder the screw terminals, just so that doesn't happen.
FYI: avoid those cheap Chinese Speakon knock offs, nothing but trouble.
The strain relief (the collar on the speakon) didn't hold the cable? Gotta screw them on until they grab the cable well.
+1 to gumtown's suggestion, above. IME it's worth the small price increment to get Neutrik connectors. Sturdier, and lock into the jack more positively.
A Speakon connector provides a secure mechanical connection to maintain a secure electrical connection. A standard 1/4 inch jack in good condition will also provide a fine mechanical connection. What you don't want is a poor electrical connection..which is when there isn't enough electrical contact to conduct the load, resulting in resistance at the contact point, causing the contact point to heat. It would probably take a lot of audio power to heat up a poor contact point..it's certainly more common in bad AC wiring. It could potentially put some strain on an amp, I suppose..but straining an amp that way usually results from using too small a gauge of speaker wire. (Ever seen a PA head ruined from using instrument cables for speaker wires for long enough? Biggest #1 Noob-band move ever...so many of us have done it, i'm not ashamed to admit i took part in it as a teenager..PA head didn't last 2 years)
one of my cabs has 1/4" only, the others have both speakon and 1/4".
One of my heads has speakon only, the other has both speakon and 1/4".
So i have a speakon cable, a 1/4" cable and a speakon to 1/4" cable - that way, every combination is possible.
One of my heads has speakon only, the other has both speakon and 1/4".
So i have a speakon cable, a 1/4" cable and a speakon to 1/4" cable - that way, every combination is possible.
If the cabinets are wood, it's cheap and easy to change the jacks and/or jack plates.
oops, hitting send before getting to the point:
-i can make out no difference, no matter what kind of connection i use.
-the speakon version has a cooler vibe to it - the cable and connectors feel like more power.
-all these cables are as short as possible and run on the backside of my amp(s), so there's no
chance of yanking one out by accident and getting hurt by standing in a puddle while sticking the loose 1/4" jack into one's nose just when i hit the Octaver to max out the output of the amp.
-i do get the 'you could mistake the speaker out with something else and blow something because that think is not supposed to take 500W' approach - and i know there's lots of people that are capable of such a mistake - especially when it's their first big gig or something and they are total wrecks already.
-i can make out no difference, no matter what kind of connection i use.
-the speakon version has a cooler vibe to it - the cable and connectors feel like more power.
-all these cables are as short as possible and run on the backside of my amp(s), so there's no
chance of yanking one out by accident and getting hurt by standing in a puddle while sticking the loose 1/4" jack into one's nose just when i hit the Octaver to max out the output of the amp.
-i do get the 'you could mistake the speaker out with something else and blow something because that think is not supposed to take 500W' approach - and i know there's lots of people that are capable of such a mistake - especially when it's their first big gig or something and they are total wrecks already.
Wiki article says Speakons are designed to handle 40 A, more than the design limit for 1/4" and other commonly used connectors, like XLR.
Speakon connector - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Speakon connector - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
True, and I would not have any problem doing it if the cabs belonged to me. They are BL's cabs though so I don't want to change anything on them.
I'm curious to the gauge of the wire in this scenario. I'm in no way questioning your experience mind you, I've just never personally ever felt a warm speaker lead / connector.
I always use super heavy duty awg cable (12 min).
To the OP, 1/4 to Speakon is no problem, many companies make this cable readily.
What I would do, however, as I'm anal retentive, is have a 1/4 to 1/4, a 1/4 to speakon, and a 1/4 to speakon adapter handy in my gig bag, so you're always ready.
